I am trying to decide if I really need the Ikelite housing for my new G9. I am just getting into underwater and there is quite a cost difference. What do I lose and I am better off to wait for the Ikelite?
G9 Housing - Ikelite or Canon
- Thread starter Cerge
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Adriaan557
Guest
Hi Cerge,
I was in exactly the same position as you are. I opted for the Canon housing for a few reasons. First is size - the Ikelite housing is much larger and bulkier than the Canon housing and since I'm fairly new to diving myself (30 dives) I don't want to overburden myself underwater with the bigger housing. Then there is obviously the cost difference...
The Ikelite gives you the option to connect the G9's flash hot-shoe to an external flash (ttl) with the Canon you cannot but you can use a fibre optic cable system to fire the flash.
Last thing to consider is that with the canon housing you cannot add an external wide angle lens - apparently the port on the housing is too long which means you'll have to zoom in quite a bit and that will negate any wide-angle benefit. Since I'm only interested in macro that does not bother me at all.
There are a few discussions on this topic on SB, so might be worth while to do a search.
Hope this helps,
Adriaan
I was in exactly the same position as you are. I opted for the Canon housing for a few reasons. First is size - the Ikelite housing is much larger and bulkier than the Canon housing and since I'm fairly new to diving myself (30 dives) I don't want to overburden myself underwater with the bigger housing. Then there is obviously the cost difference...
The Ikelite gives you the option to connect the G9's flash hot-shoe to an external flash (ttl) with the Canon you cannot but you can use a fibre optic cable system to fire the flash.
Last thing to consider is that with the canon housing you cannot add an external wide angle lens - apparently the port on the housing is too long which means you'll have to zoom in quite a bit and that will negate any wide-angle benefit. Since I'm only interested in macro that does not bother me at all.
There are a few discussions on this topic on SB, so might be worth while to do a search.
Hope this helps,
Adriaan
Are you a new diver? If so, I agree with Steen.
If you are an experienced diver you may want to go with the ikelite housing because it offers more options as you get better and more comfortable.
I started off with my A80 and the Canon housing. I have just upgraded (after 4 dive trips) to the G9 and opted for the Ikelite housing because I don't want to mess with the FO cables anymore.
If you are an experienced diver you may want to go with the ikelite housing because it offers more options as you get better and more comfortable.
I started off with my A80 and the Canon housing. I have just upgraded (after 4 dive trips) to the G9 and opted for the Ikelite housing because I don't want to mess with the FO cables anymore.
paradicio
Contributor
I recently upgraded to my G9 w/ Ikelite Housing and DS-51 strobe. Before that I used a PowerShot S50 with a Canon housing. It served me very well, and will continue to serve me very well on beach dives when having a more compact rig is much easier.
Basically it all comes down to what you want (I am new as well and am beginning to realize how personal a choice equipment selection is / can be). Both are good housings. More important than the equipment is the person behind the lens.
Basically it all comes down to what you want (I am new as well and am beginning to realize how personal a choice equipment selection is / can be). Both are good housings. More important than the equipment is the person behind the lens.
The Ikelite has the advantage of a WA port available, something that is discussed elsewhere here. It won't let you fully zoom, but will let you install a 67mm WA lens without getting vignetting. Another option with two ports available is the very compact Sea & Sea MDX-G9, but that will be VERY expensive compared to the Canon or Ikelite offerings.
waynel
Contributor
Personally, I wouldn't base my decision on purchasing a housing on how many dives you have. Regardless of the size difference between the Canon and Ikelite housings, either housing will give you one additional "chore" to deal with while diving. My point being, the Canon being a bit smaller than the Ikelite won't make this "chore" easier for you. What you need to consider is the buoyancy of the housing (again, if overburdening yourself is your main concern). Remember, you are new and still working on your own buoyancy issues. If you bring a housing down with you that housing's buoyancy is going to affect you more than the size of the housing. I'm not certain but I believe Ikelite housings are billed as being neutrally bouyant, and Canon is a bit positive. Someone help me (and the OP) out here. Am I correct on the buoyancy of these two housings?
In any case, Cerge, its' buoyancy not size that should be your first concern. Your second concern is this: how much did you pay for your Canon G9? I paid $500 for mine. Are you comfortable protecting it with a $200 housing (Canon) or the Ikelite? I'm not knocking Canon housings, just putting the question out there.
Just my opinions, but based on the fact that I have a Canon G9 and have been agonizing over which housing to get, as well as which strobe. Personally, I have to go with Ikelite for two main reasons. Ikelite costs more because it's got a proven record for keeping cameras dry and because I want to go ttl with the strobe instead of using a fiber optic.
So I guess besides buoyancy and camera protection, yourthird consideration is: what do I want to do when acquiring a strobe? If you want ttl, you will have to get the Ikelite.
In any case, Cerge, its' buoyancy not size that should be your first concern. Your second concern is this: how much did you pay for your Canon G9? I paid $500 for mine. Are you comfortable protecting it with a $200 housing (Canon) or the Ikelite? I'm not knocking Canon housings, just putting the question out there.
Just my opinions, but based on the fact that I have a Canon G9 and have been agonizing over which housing to get, as well as which strobe. Personally, I have to go with Ikelite for two main reasons. Ikelite costs more because it's got a proven record for keeping cameras dry and because I want to go ttl with the strobe instead of using a fiber optic.
So I guess besides buoyancy and camera protection, yourthird consideration is: what do I want to do when acquiring a strobe? If you want ttl, you will have to get the Ikelite.
cowjazz
Contributor
I have used a Canon S70 in a Canon housing for years. I recently upgraded to a G9, and will be purchasing the Ikelite housing. Here is what my little mind came up with to make my decision.
The Canon housing for my S70 has been great, but I had a few minor issues. I did not like the tightness of the housing's fit on the camera. Less air space with a camera that generates a lot of heat led to some issues. It was difficult to place dessicate packs in the housing, and I ended up having to use an anti-fog paste on the interior of the housing. I fear the 12 mega pixel G9 will put off more heat, causing more fogging, and potential noise issues. I think the roomier Ikelite housing will help with those issues. I also think the Ikelite housing will be easier to service. Finding someone to service the control buttons and dials on my Canon S70 housing has been a chore. I like that Ikelite gives you the option to add a wide angle port with their housing. The Canon housing limits you unless you modify the housing with after market parts. I'm not concerned about using TTL. I prefer to manually adjust my strobe and use a fiber optic cable, but if I do decide to go to the dark side, the option is there with the Ikelite housing.
The Canon housing for my S70 has been great, but I had a few minor issues. I did not like the tightness of the housing's fit on the camera. Less air space with a camera that generates a lot of heat led to some issues. It was difficult to place dessicate packs in the housing, and I ended up having to use an anti-fog paste on the interior of the housing. I fear the 12 mega pixel G9 will put off more heat, causing more fogging, and potential noise issues. I think the roomier Ikelite housing will help with those issues. I also think the Ikelite housing will be easier to service. Finding someone to service the control buttons and dials on my Canon S70 housing has been a chore. I like that Ikelite gives you the option to add a wide angle port with their housing. The Canon housing limits you unless you modify the housing with after market parts. I'm not concerned about using TTL. I prefer to manually adjust my strobe and use a fiber optic cable, but if I do decide to go to the dark side, the option is there with the Ikelite housing.
Heymo
Registered
I just bought a G9 yesterday, and was debating between the two housings myself. It ultimately became a no- brainer for one specific reason...with the Canon housing you cannot access the dial that gives you control of the F-Stop. That, combined with several people complaining of fogging issues convinced me that the Ikelite housing was the way to go.
I have an SD600 and the Canon housing and was very happy with it, but this one seems to have some problems.
Hope this helps. I'm taking mine to Barbados in two weeks.
I have an SD600 and the Canon housing and was very happy with it, but this one seems to have some problems.
Hope this helps. I'm taking mine to Barbados in two weeks.
cowjazz
Contributor
Let us know what you think. I just took delivery of my Ikelite housing for a G9 this week, and plan on using it in the end of May. I'd be interested in hearing your impressions since you, like me, are coming from Canon housings to Ikelite.
As far as above water, I really like the Ikelite housing, but the real test will come when it gets wet.
As far as above water, I really like the Ikelite housing, but the real test will come when it gets wet.
Sgraves2505
Registered
I may too purchase the Ikelite housing later, but for now I perfer the more compact size of the Canon housing.
There have been some reports of fogging, but there has also been even more reports of no fogging issues. As explained before by someone else, the fogging is probably due to the air conditions at the time of the closing, and the small volume of air trapped inside the housing.
Also the Canon housing does not take away any functionality. Yes, there is no access to the dail, but holding down the Shortcut button (upper left "S" button), and pressing the Left (Macro) and Right (Flash) buttons serve the same function as the dial. I have yet to get this camera wet, so this may prove to be very difficult underwater, but on the surface it seems to be an acceptable solution to not using the dial.
The greatest advantage I see in the Ikelite housing vs. the Canon is the shutter button control. I have yet to use either housing underwater, but just based on the design it looks like it would be easier to control the "half-press" on the shutter button with the lever on the Ikelite housing, vs the button on the Canon.
There have been some reports of fogging, but there has also been even more reports of no fogging issues. As explained before by someone else, the fogging is probably due to the air conditions at the time of the closing, and the small volume of air trapped inside the housing.
Also the Canon housing does not take away any functionality. Yes, there is no access to the dail, but holding down the Shortcut button (upper left "S" button), and pressing the Left (Macro) and Right (Flash) buttons serve the same function as the dial. I have yet to get this camera wet, so this may prove to be very difficult underwater, but on the surface it seems to be an acceptable solution to not using the dial.
The greatest advantage I see in the Ikelite housing vs. the Canon is the shutter button control. I have yet to use either housing underwater, but just based on the design it looks like it would be easier to control the "half-press" on the shutter button with the lever on the Ikelite housing, vs the button on the Canon.
Similar threads
